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Tank too big for new corn?

bah14

bah14

Corn uber Noob
getting a new corn this wednesday. I can only assume that it will be a few months old (d.o.b. mid/late 2004). I have a tank properly set up for the new corn, however i just want to ask if the size is of any concern:

50 gal breeder 36lx18wx18h. I had this already and wanted to start the snake in the tank it would always be in. Any one think this will cause problems? Is there such a thing as too much space for a new younger corn? I didnt think so, but just thought i'd run it by everyone.
 
Definitely too big (10 gallon would be perfect) BUT if you provide a LOT of hiding places (and I do mean a lot) it should be okay. Paper towel rolls (toilet or other) work GREAT for the little guy to make it from one end of the tank to the other...

I would suggest though (because it IS such a big tank) that you place a divider down the middle for the time being. If you don't want to do that, place the warm spot in the middle of the tank, and cool spots on both ends (hides on the cool and one in the warm, with the water bowl on both ends).

Just be sure he (she?) can make it from one end of the tank to the other without having to cross a large open space. Like I said paper towel rolls, lots of plants... a couple "tight" fitting hides will make him feel more secure as well... just try to make it as low stress as you possibly can and for the first... oohhhh... I'd say at least the first 5 days (normally 3 or 4, but because of the size of the tank), don't disturb him AT ALL so he has time to get used to the new home. Then offer the meal, and leave him for at least another 2 days before starting to handle him. (always leave a snake for a couple days after eating to prevent a regurg)

Congrats! Post pics when you got 'em! ;)
 
Spirit said:
I would suggest though (because it IS such a big tank) that you place a divider down the middle for the time being. If you don't want to do that, place the warm spot in the middle of the tank, and cool spots on both ends (hides on the cool and one in the warm, with the water bowl on both ends).

Just be sure he (she?) can make it from one end of the tank to the other without having to cross a large open space. Like I said paper towel rolls, lots of plants... a couple "tight" fitting hides will make him feel more secure as well... just try to make it as low stress as you possibly can and for the first... oohhhh... I'd say at least the first 5 days (normally 3 or 4, but because of the size of the tank), don't disturb him AT ALL so he has time to get used to the new home. Then offer the meal, and leave him for at least another 2 days before starting to handle him. (always leave a snake for a couple days after eating to prevent a regurg)
Click to expand...

Sounds like great advice and i thank both of you for it. 1 Q stemming from what you said: When i do feed it for the 1st time, do i do so in a separate container outwide of the tank? If so, i will have to handle the snake. Just making sure this is the way to go, since i would normally let a week pass before i started handling it. I've had other reptiles before, but this is my first snake.
 
The plastic tank Vicki suggested is god for feeding a corn in up to about 2ft long, i use 1 for my 2 that are small then 28 inches, and afte they have fed and moved the mouse down to the stomac, gently pick him/her up and place in the viv, then leave them 2 it for 48 hours. I've only had 1 regurge using this method and they both eat weekley.
 
How can a cage be too big?

:confused:
Cornsnakes typically hatch out into more acres than they could ever explore. Aside from possible difficulty in finding them in a large enclosure, I see no reason not to use a large cage. Your snake just may not use much of it. They will likely hide out where the temperature suits them best and they feel secure. Be sure to place the water bowl and food items nearby. Personally, I put my hatchlings in tiny cages on a rack system, even deli cups. Pumping out upward of 200 hatchlings, this is for space saving and organization.
 
thanks again for all the help. I'll be sure to have hides placed throughout the enclosure and a good temp gradient.
 
i put my hatchling in the same sized tank. i feel it deserves it rather than a tiny 10 gallon. i feed it in a seperate container though. the open space makes them grow a little faster, but also a little wilder. she is a fisty little snake, and shes fast!
 
A space that big will stress a small snake out. It may seem to deserve it, but i doesn't deserve the stress. Babies are very sensitive to things like that. A tank that big would probably do okay with ALOT of hides as Spririt said (and we mean ALOT) but Chances of stress are still very high. Babies need to feel as secure as possible. At most, I would put a neonate in a 20 gallon, and that would be if I didn't have anything else. Normally, my snakes don't go into 20 gallon size until they hit yearling.
 
I put all my hatchlings in a 20 gallon long so I know I don't have to switch tanks later on. I provide them with plenty of hides throughout the tank (as Spirit suggested). I would think a tank of that size would put alot of undue stress on a youngster, and just like Spirit suggested, I would put a divider in until the snake is at the very least a yearling or subadult. More room is great when they are adults, but until then you are just adding to the stress of a young corn who is trying to adjust to it's surroundings.
 
Jynx said:
A space that big will stress a small snake out. It may seem to deserve it, but i doesn't deserve the stress. Babies are very sensitive to things like that. A tank that big would probably do okay with ALOT of hides as Spririt said (and we mean ALOT) but Chances of stress are still very high. Babies need to feel as secure as possible. At most, I would put a neonate in a 20 gallon, and that would be if I didn't have anything else. Normally, my snakes don't go into 20 gallon size until they hit yearling.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'm kinda seeing the point. So let's make this work. I have found and cleaned a chineese (sp?) food container (not the rice kind). It is something like like 8Lx5Dx3H. I've poked holes in the side of it and the lid is clear. I can easily place some aspen in the bottom. However, what kind of hide can i place in such a small container? Furthermore, what kind of water dish that is large enough for bathing and yet small enough to actually fit do any of you suggest? Perhaps, I should just go get a nice medium size rubbermaid container, per the suggestion made earlier in this thread.
 
You can place a few of those containers in the large tank too. Just cut a small hole in the side for both ventillation, and so the snake can go in and out when it wants to (keep the lid on).

The downside with a viv that large though, is it can be tricky to regulate temps, which is why I suggested placing a heat lamp in the middle. You'll want 83 on the warm spot and roughly 8-10 degrees less on the cool.

I started with a 25 gallon, and that was tricky enough as it was. LOTS of hides. Like... seriously, a lot. And paper towel rolls, mostly along the back edge.
 
spirit. I see what you mean. Right now i'm at a stand still as to what i should do.

1. leave the snake as is until the 3-5 day acclimation period is over.

2. Move her to a smaller container

3. rearrange/supplement the current tank with more hides.


****Anyone have any digital pics of their tank/setup?
 
I don't have a pic of my set up because half of my set up is a rack and the other half 20 gallons. Just about any pet store will have a ten gallon glass aquarium with a screen lid that would be perfect. For that size with a young snake, you would only need 2 hides (one on the warm side and one on the cool). Set up a small heat pad under the tank on one side and leave the other side cool for thermo regulation. You can use a light, but its not necessary. I would go with a small wattage incandescent bulb and place on the screen cover in the middle, so it will light the entire tank. for a water dish, I would actually suggest a small ceramic dish that you would use for a cat or small dog. They are easier to clean, less expensive then reptile dishes, and are heavy enough that the snake cannot tip it.
 
more hides

i would stick with the larger tank and just place several hides as mentioned above. Hides are pretty simple and can be found everywhere. Go to walmart you can get plastic flower pots for like 75 cents just flip them over and cut a hole in it. Several of these along with two water bowls should mae the little guy very happy assuming the temps are ok
 
ok, I've decided to stick with the 50 gal breeder. I have added an extra 6 hides/ tunnels made from opaque plastic cups cut in half, etc. Hopefully this will work.

thanks for all the input!
 
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